CHAPTER 1334: CHAPTER 535: COSMOS LAKERS VS. COSMOS WARRIORS (PART 2)

Most of the Warriors’ players have thoughts similar to Curry, except for one person... Backpack: Hey, it’s the Western Conference Finals! The game that decides the championship, damn it, Jack, don’t you feel any pressure? Me! A pupil, Klay, Chasing Dreams, we are four All-Stars! Two MVPs!

Zhang Yang, on his side, was oblivious to the ’enjoy the game’ vibe emanating from him, he just wanted to get on the court and play, he just wanted to win the game.

And this play, he could make a nimble alley-oop layup, but he just wanted to show off, the ’him’ here could jump higher than he could!

Not just higher than him, but even more so than the ’him’ at the 80-line.

In terms of physical fitness, the 80-line is actually the ’weakest’; of course, compared to his current self, the 80-line is stronger in terms of strength. He himself hasn’t reached his strongest time yet, and the ’weakness’ here refers to the ceiling in some aspects.

Because a lot of physical fitness talent points were obtained after the ’92 East Final, and by that time, the 80-line had already reached the peak of physical fitness. According to the description of the ’Gate of Trials’, the talent points obtained after reaching the peak of physical fitness will no longer enhance the physical fitness but can only slow down the rate of decline.

In terms of just jumping, he himself and the 80-line ’him’ are already about the same, which is a very excellent level. Most aerial moves can be completed smoothly, but it is difficult to call it explosive. Whereas this ’he’ can reach that level!

When the Warriors were on the offensive, after Curry advanced to the frontcourt, he passed to Durant and then started cutting to open positions.

What a perfect teammate, he gives up the ball just like that, Zhang San could never do that. Although he also enjoys playing off the ball, the main offensive power must be in his hands... Zhang Yang sighed and focused on defending Durant.

His usual right-hand direction was blocked, something Durant was already used to, so he advanced to the left.

This sudden acceleration couldn’t shake off Zhang Yang, whose speed is top-notch between the forward and guard position. He got into the right position, suddenly halted, and immediately took off again, using his long legs to leave Zhang Yang on the right side... but was blocked by Nance Jr. in the elbow area!

Zhang Yang quickly caught up from the middle of the left side of the paint and stuck to Durant, who urgently raised the ball with his long arms and flung it towards the top arc direction.

Green stretched to catch the ball one step inside the top arc. Zhang Yang glanced and didn’t move up, instead, he retreated towards the hoop. After Durant passed the ball, he pressed to the baseline, blocking Harden who was chasing Curry, but when Curry cut into the paint, he met Zhang Yang!

Two of the three splash brothers were blocked on the left side of the hoop! But... there was still one more!

Green seized the opportunity to swing the ball to the right sideline, Thompson bypassed the post and went straight to the right sideline to catch the ball, turned around, faced Blake, and took a three-point shot...

This time Blake’s defense was definitely in place, but Thompson caught the ball and shot so fast that by the time Blake was in position to block, the ball was already flying over his head!

Score!

Zhang Yang smacked his lips, so accurate, but that’s secondary; he could shoot just as accurately, the main thing was still that top-notch in-league off-ball movement ability.

Just like Kobe’s analysis a few days ago, Thompson’s movement, physical fitness, basketball IQ, skills, all were indispensable.

Thompson’s speed isn’t really fast; at short distances, even Blake could keep up, but it definitely isn’t slow. Because he doesn’t hold the ball, he can initiate movement with better body posture when changing direction using a screen, and he has been specially trained by a relay running expert, which is sufficient for such a small area on the court.

That final abrupt stop and turn-around jump shot require strong leg force for braking and powerful core strength in the waist and abdomen to maintain the stability of the movement, so every shot is like cutting and pasting the scene of the last shot.

Too steady, really impressive, but a bit strenuous on the legs.

There’s also basketball IQ, Thompson must precisely control his position, seize the opportunity to use screens, maintain connections with teammates in tactical cooperation, and also keep connections with players facilitating the attack...

Let the old Ironsmith give it some thought, it would be best if he can help Zhang San improve his off-the-ball ability by breaking it down, there’s no loss if not, heard small Buss will pay for overtime work.

This defense overall was successful, forcing Thompson, who usually serves as a pivot point and a connecting player during regular time, to actively look for shooting opportunities. If the opponent scores, then there’s nothing we can do.

Zhang Yang had to admit that Kobe really had a sharp mind for basketball, Durant’s stride and change of direction during a breakthrough are indefensible, absolutely impossible to defend against; even if the defender matches his speed, it’s no use. With an active back-off strategy, Durant, who is taller than most centers and has outstanding stopping force, can just shoot it over. If closely guarded, his long legs can easily surpass with one step.

But Kobe thought of a way to target it - blocking the middle!

This might be one of the only two defects in Durant’s breakthrough being at the peak of his career.

After Durant broke through to both sides of the paint, there was an 80% probability that he would choose to stride towards the middle and then pick up the ball to go straight to the hoop to draw fouls. This is determined by his height and wingspan advantage, making for a very high success rate.

Conversely, the success rate when going down the baseline is much lower. At this time, the outstanding height and wingspan become somewhat burdensome. Of course, the success rate is relative only; if the speed is fast enough, regardless of Durant’s direction change, directly occupying the space of Durant’s stride to the middle using speed creates better conditions for a double-team.

Being able to find even a tiny flaw in Durant’s nearly unstoppable offense when he’s at full stamina, Zhang Yang thinks Kobe is incredibly impressive.

Another defect in Durant’s breakthrough - prone to turnovers. During his Thunder Team period, he averaged 3.5+ turnovers per game, and during the first five years of his career, his turnovers outnumbered his assists, and at best, his assist-to-turnover ratio was about 1.5 to 1.

However, this point is greatly mitigated in the Warriors’ system. Durant, if he can’t move forward, can directly throw it to Green, who is always there to distribute from the high post.

Switching from offense to defense, Harden continued to play Curry.

Zhang Yang cooperated to circle around the free-throw line; this time, Green directly blocked him. Zhang Yang received a pass from Harden and lobbed towards the right baseline, where Blake took the ball, stepped forward to dunk... but was blocked by the actively collapsing Durant!

Blake forcibly squeezed Durant to release a floater... it bounced once on the rim, then fell in.

Harden watched the scene, gritting his teeth: Back in the day, big boss Durant’s defense wasn’t this active.

While retreating on defense, Zhang Yang and Harden both praised how nicely Blake executed the play.

At times like those, Blake had to go strong; whether it went in was less important. Even if it meant a rough layup and the ball going out of bounds, he couldn’t risk a blind pass leading to a fast-break on the other end.

Just as Durant had covered in place, the Splash Brothers were already rushing to the frontcourt.

Encouragement is needed at this point so that next time Blake remains consistent and assertive. One cannot expect a pure defense finisher type role player to be perfect, adequacy is sufficient.

When it was the Warriors’ turn to attack, having the prior success of blocking Durant, Zhang Yang was more resolute this time, prepared to execute the strategy discussed with Kobe to limit Durant.

But an unexpected situation arose: with one formation blocked, Durant didn’t continue handling the ball on the second turn but instead pulled to the weak side!

Curry, Green, and Thompson played a three-man game on the right side!

Curry utilized the screen to split and pass to Green who popped to the right sideline, Green passed it back to the top arc, where Thompson received it and was screened by Nance Jr.

Thompson didn’t force a shot against the defense but pushed the ball out from Nance Jr.’s waist.

After releasing the ball, Curry slipped along the baseline towards the left sideline, pressing the defense down, leaving the free-throw line wide open, Durant squeezing Zhang Yang approached the hoop to catch the ball, raised it high, and lobbed it into the basket!

Zhang San: This... a luxury deluxe version of Harris-Barnes?

The decision to let go was too decisive!

Indeed, with the Warriors, unless it’s a critical shot, there’s no need for Durant to break the defense like he had to on the Thunder Team with just the two juniors to open up the situation!

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I returned to Chengdu after a long journey today, went straight to writing a Chapter as soon as I got home. It’s a bit short, I hope you understand~ I will resume work soon, and wish all my little buddies a successful and prosperous New Year!